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Two or more independent functioning families make a neighborhood. Only trust and mutual respect can build the spirit of good neighbors. In sharp contrast to the world of wisdom, Manipur today, is living in a world of contempt. Lately, we have witness rise in fanaticism, communal politics and corruption etc. The above words like fanaticism, communal politics and corruption are always negative to the interest of human beings and to democracy. One of the present burning issues of Manipur is its territorial integrity.
Sadly, in the name of territorial integrity, the above negative forms are coming into play. Manipur is now divided into hill and valley people. In the past,
the hills and valley of Manipur existed only in geography but not in the sentiments of the
people. The road that Manipur has taken is not as rosy as some paints
it to be so. Everyday we can see and hear accusing finger pointing to the valley or the
hills. But the crux of the matter does not lie there. We should dedicate more time and energy to answer the several questions out there.
Someone in the neighborhood wants to shift but we wanted him to
stay. What or who is responsible for it? Is it justified to leave or is it justified to stay? It is the choice of the neighbor and the decision with the wisdom of his own in final. Surely, we cannot make him stay by force. This is not the stage to show sympathy. It should have been showered from the very beginning if
need be. This is the stage to make harsh decisions. No man can right the wrongs committed through the ages overnight. This is the time for results of the things we have done for ages. If you have sown love, you will reap love. If you have sown understanding, you shall so reap.
I can feel that many valley people are frustrated politically. Out of frustration and territorial integrity, they begin to shout that Rishang Keishing had been the CM of Manipur for the longest period. Mind you, it has nothing to do with territorial integrity or emotional integrity. Rishang Keishing could serve the State as CM for the longest period due to his political acumen. Nothing unofficial should be attached to it. Remember it is democracy and not backgrounds.
The great Indian leaders after ignoring what was due to the Nagas have finally begun to mend their ways. It is a very welcoming step to the people. The Indians have slowly acknowledged the unique history of the Nagas. We, the Nagas
did not bring the ceasefire, it is the initiation and effort of the Indian leaders that brought peace and ceasefire in Nagaland and we Nagas bought it. If the Indian leaders could recognize the unique history of the Nagas, why not the valley people of Manipur? Someone living 2000 km away could understand the Nagas'
struggle but our next door neighbors finds it hard to digest. Why is the huge gap? Are we not neighbors? It is hard to believe we were never neighbors right from the start.
Due to the greed of the majority people, all kinds of institution are based in the valley. The valley people should not be offended when I mention this truth. As a result of our past greed, we are about to reap the darker side of things. We have reaped the advantages of all the institutions installed in the valley, as such; Imphal is much more ahead in terms of infrastructure and development compared with the other districts. The construction of the stadiums at Khuman Lampak for the V National Games can serve as an eye opener if you are dead blind. The concentration of stadiums at Khuman Lampak was not inevitable. We could have constructed a standard football playground at Churachandpur HQ or a Velodrome at Ukhrul HQ or a hockey playground at Senapati HQ. In the last FIFA World Cup, we can recollect vividly that the cup was played at different stadiums at different cities. This could serve the valley oriented people what it means to be on equal footing.
Meiteis have been shouting for preserving of the age-old hill and valley relation. But what were they doing when the Nagas were down and struggling 30 to 40 years back. If 'Tammis' and 'Chingmis' are brothers, why were you deaf when your Naga hill brothers were dying? We have 'Emma Market' for the Meitei women but we have been blind to the need of such a site for the women from the hills who come to Imphal to do business. Untold hardship do they face. No woman can decorate only one side of the face and live like an angel. The other side is bound to malaise the whole structure.
I can bet that if a site for the hill women is given, it will ensure a steady supply of all the hill products to the valley people and caters to their needs, as well as increase the income of our hill people. Shouting of unity at seminars, dharnas, emotional integrity will lead to nowhere unless the attitude of our valley brothers change their direction. We shall forever respect the 18 souls of the great June uprising 2001. But we have no room for the tens of thousands Naga brethren killed in the 50 years old struggle. This show the hollowness of our hill-valley fraternity.
The founding fathers of India use the 'Reorganization of States' as the maxim to club all the States according to need and desire of the age/era. Nagaland, Mizoram etc were all a part of the State of Assam. They got fragmented in due courses of time. The process is still on with time and is not in a saturated state. Newly formed Indian States bears the witness to it. With a hammer a house is built. It is with this same hammer that the walls can be pulled down. Nagas have every right to the cause for which they are being killed, so as the Mizos have every right to the cause for which they were killed.
Our struggle has a unique history and only
persons with a whole-hearted interest can understand and value the depth or else it all seems like a jig-saw puzzle. Our struggle should not be view from the microscopic eye of communal or religion. We should remember that the great Indian leaders were treated as anti-Government during the British Rule but to us they were the dear patriots. There is a season for everything; it is only a matter of time when our dues will be fittingly paid. This is the prayer of all the Nagas. Neighbors, join us in prayer. |
